Luckiamute Domestic Water Cooperative
GENERAL PURPOSE
Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of journey-level duties involved in the installation, servicing, repair and maintenance of the water distribution system and related facilities; and performs related work as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Utility Worker I is the entry-level class. Initially under direct supervision, incumbents learn and perform a variety of semi- skilled and skilled duties in the construction, maintenance and repair of the water distribution systems and related facilities. This position is alternately staffed with Utility Worker II, and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency which meet the qualifications for the higher-level class.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the class.
Performs skilled and semi-skilled work in the construction, installation, repair and maintenance of water distribution system mains, service lines and related facilities and equipment.
Installs, tests, inspects, replaces, maintains and repairs water meters; tests, raises and lowers meter box heights, cleans and resets meter boxes; responds to complaints of leaking, broken or malfunctioning meters; performs flow tests and pressure check on water meters; operates a variety of hand and power tools and equipment in the adjusting, repairing and maintaining of water meters; reads water meters.
Investigates customer’s complaints regarding water bills; re-reads water meters in response to customer inquiries or complaints: identifies cause of excessive water consumption if known to the cooperative end of responsibility and recommends possible repairs.
Performs skilled work in assembling, laying and aligning water distribution mains and service lines.
Locates and repairs leaks in water distribution mains, services, pumps, valves and related facilities and appurtenances.
Sets up and removes barricades to protect crews from street traffic; directs traffic at work sites.
Conducts inspections of water distribution systems and facilities.
Performs duties in confined spaces, utilizing departmental safety equipment, policies and procedures; lifts and removes vault lids; ventilates vaults; performs vault repairs.
Performs duties associated with chlorination system including (but not limited to) analyzing chlorine residual in water lines; analyze caustic soda distribution into water lines; adjusts chlorine and caustic soda barrels when solutions are depleted; notifies Field Manager when supplies are getting low for re-order in a timely manner; maintains structures (inside and outside) keeping area in clean, neat condition.
Locates buried valves; inspects and tests valves; determines water flow direction and performs required main shutdown procedures: installs, repairs and replaces corp stop, angle meter stop, and curb stop valves under pressure or after main shutdowns; fabricates valve fittings; repairs valve boxes; raises and lowers valve boxes; removes broken and installs new valve box sections; backfills and tamps with gravel.
Excavates and backfills streets, culverts and trenches using hand and power tools; exposes mains and lines following safe dig practices and shutdown procedures; installs and removes various types of trench shoring; cuts mains, lines and pipes utilizing saws, pipe cutters, torches and other tools; caulks joints; threads and bends pipes; performs water main taps under pressure or following main shutdowns.
Locates and exercises small and large water main valves.
Maintains pump stations, reservoirs, and other facilities; maintains and repairs piping associated with pump stations, and other facilities.
Operates trucks, trenchers, skip loaders, backhoes, compressors, tapping machines, and a wide variety of other motorized equipment; operates and uses a wide variety of hand and power tools.
Performs grounds keeping and weed abatement duties at System-owned sites and facilities.
Cleans and maintains tools and equipment used in the field and shops.
Documents work performed.
Works from land maps, sketch, blueprints and work orders.
Responds to customer complaints; responds to questions and complaints from the public regarding repair work and mainshutdowns.
Performs after-hours emergency work and on-call duties on a rotating basis.
DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Operation of motorized vehicles and equipment, including trucks, track hoes and related equipment; tools, methods, techniques and safety practices used in maintaining water distribution facilities; tools; shop and field arithmetic; methods, techniques and safety precautions necessary to meet the requirements of the position.
Ability to:
Perform skilled tasks in the maintenance of water distribution; operate the tools and equipment common to utility construction and maintenance; follow and carry out oral and written instructions; work from rough sketches, blueprints and diagrams; use independent judgment and exercise initiative in daily work activities; estimate necessary equipment and materials to complete work assignments and deal effectively with the public and respond to complaints and inquiries.
Training and Experience:
One year of experience in utility or public works-related maintenance or related construction work preferred.
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
A valid Class C Oregon driver’s license and high school diploma or equivalent.
The ability to obtain Water Distribution I certification after one year of on-the-job training.
This position is subject to Luckiamute Domestic Water Cooperative’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy per the employee handbook which includes: pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return to duty testing, and follow-up testing.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Employees in this class are occasionally required to wear respirators. In accordance with Oregon OSHA regulations, employees are prohibited from having facial or head hair that impairs the effectiveness of respirator equipment.
Mental Demands:
While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with System staff, other organizations and the public. The employee is occasionally required to deal with dissatisfied or quarrelsome individuals.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounter while performing the essential functions of this class.
The employee regularly works in outside weather conditions and in or near street traffic with significant exposure to unsafe or hazardous drivers. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts, is exposed to wet or humid conditions and vibration and works in precarious places or exposed to street/road traffic. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is frequently loud.
Approval: Effective Date: July 8, 2022
Board of Directors – Luckiamute Domestic Water Cooperative